Judges 6:5
For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it. For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
In the days of Gideon Israel was oppressed by the Midianites from the eastern border and the deserts beyond, joined by the Amalekites from the south and other allies. These were wild, fierce desert peoples and still unrelenting enemies of Israel. They had nearly been destroyed by Israel in the days of Moses, but had since increased greatly and become numerous and powerful, thirsting for revenge. Their opportunity came when Israel's sin led God to withdraw His protecting hand.
They swarmed into the land in overwhelming numbers, compared to grasshoppers or locusts for multitude, coming with their tents and with their flocks, herds and camels without number. They entered the land to destroy it and spread across it like a devouring plague. Their affliction fell not only on the tribes east of the Jordan but on the whole land from the Jordan to the Philistine plain. They came as soon as the harvests began to ripen and remained until the last fruits had been gathered, stripping the fields of their increase and robbing and maltreating the inhabitants before returning to the deserts.
Israelites dwelling in the open country were forced to abandon their homes and congregate in walled towns, seek refuge in fortresses, and find shelter in caves and rocky fastnesses among the mountains. This oppression continued for seven years. In their distress the people at last gave heed to the Lord's reproof and confessed their sins, and God again raised up a helper for them.